“A necessary component of managing change involves constantly evaluating how we best utilize all of our resources, and that sometimes involves difficult decisions,” Skipper wrote and said there will be changes in the talent lineup

He added that "dynamic change demands an increased focus on versatility and value, and as a result, we have been engaged in the challenging process of determining the talent—anchors, analysts, reporters, writers and those who handle play-by-play—necessary to meet those demands."

Sports and entertainment industry watchers say reductions are ESPN were inevitable since they've been responsible for the economics of the the industry changing for decades.

ESPN's media and broadcasting rights agreements with the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and NCAA are all expensive enterprises and the company needs to figure out ways to monetize all of them so they make sense for the bottom line.

Rich Hanley, an Associate Professor of Journalism at Quinnipiac University, says the layoffs announced Wednesday, and the significant reduction in October 2015 are indications that the company has struggled to keep the money flowing in.

“ESPN has to adjust, adapt to not only the coverage of the game but what it has on before the games, during the games, and after the games," he said.

Hanley said, "In any business that has that drop off in paying customers has to react to it and ESPN is reacting to it by shrinking its workforce or recalibrating it around the new digital model or anything it can figure out to get those eyeballs back on ESPN whether its on a smartphone or some other device.”

The State of Connecticut also has a stake in ESPN's success. ESPN is part of the state's "First Five," economic incentive program.

ESPN had to invest $150 million in its Bristol campus, and hire 150 new employees in Bristol by June 15, 2015 in order to receive $10 million in total tax incentives that they could spread out over multiple years.

The company quickly complied by investing $200 million in its Bristol headquarters, and it hired more than 150 people.

“It is important to us to provide some additional context on how our content is evolving. In short, given how fans’ habits are changing, our focus continues to be providing high-quality, distinctive content at any minute of the day on any screen. For instance:

“Perhaps the most noted example of this strategy is our recent approach to our flagship program, SportsCenter. SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, the launch of SC6 with Michael Smith and Jemele Hill, and the debut of more digital-only content socially and on our App means SportsCenter in its many forms is easily accessible, informative and primed with personality.

“Our evolving ESPN App is the best mobile destination for sports fans and has been bolstered by the recent launch of home screen video and increased personalization. On the horizon is more live news video and enhanced video and audio streaming.

“There are numerous examples this year of ESPN’s multi-screen approach around big events, ranging from the College Football Playoff Championship Megacast, the NBA Sidecast, the Tournament Challenge and Fantasy Football Marathons, and the Women’s Final Four. And at the start of NFL free agency, ESPN3’s show featured “Schefter Cam” while ESPN.com and the App were providing extensive clips featuring our NFL reporters and analysts, and ESPN2 wrapped it up with a comprehensive show.

“And on the immediate horizon, three days of NFL Draft TV coverage will be complemented with even more online (which can be personalized to match a fan’s favorite team), the cover package of ESPN The Magazine, Mike & Mike and First Take on location, behind-the-scenes coverage on Instagram Stories and more. In May, two of our biggest journalism brands — Outside the Lines and E:60— will relaunch with an emphasis on increased collaboration and a larger presence digitally, socially and across all our screens.

“All this in addition to the extensive coverage this spring of NBA Playoffs, Major League Baseball, Indy 500, the men’s and women’s College World Series, and more.

“Our goal continues to be to maximize our unparalleled scale in every medium with storytelling that stands out and makes a difference. We are well-equipped to thrive going forward by embracing these themes.”